They came, they saw, they conquered - Say She She finally arrived in Germany and took Hamburg by storm. When the three women from Brooklyn touched ground with their first 45 "Forget me not" last year, they weren't exactly newbies: two thirds had already released an underground hit with "Terrorize my Heart" with another band. But this debut sat at the crossroads between modern soul and disco beats with a psychedelic twist - so this wasn't retro - this was brand new. But that was then and this is now: Say She She live.
No Prisoners taken
Starting with the brand new single "C'est Si Bon" people were on their feet immediately. Nya Gazelle Brown, Piya Malik, Sabrina Mileo Cunningham know how to move the crowd and use their stage presence and voices accordingly. And Boy/Girl can they sing! All three ladies hit the notes and glide through the melodies without stepping into overacting terrain like so many other vocalists nowadays.
Say She She live: These ladies are serious
The audience was mostly female – quite unusual for the Knust Hamburg, which rather regularly caters for punk, indie and rock (and FC St.Pauli) fans – but has recently broaden their approach with the fabolous jazzhouse series. And many women tonight knew the songs by heart: singing or lipsyncing to all of the tracks. And this wasn't just for the audience - on stage the singers had fun as well.
But this "discodelic soul band" isn't just about the Dance in Disco - they tackle political issues as well. In "Norma" they discuss women's rights and self-determination with the changed law regarding abortion. Named after Norma McCorvey, the Jane Roe in the Roe vs. Wade decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in January 1973, which has recently been overruled in June 2022. These ladies are serious - and you better catch up.
Yes, We believe in Miracles
Without any breaks the energy level builds up more and more. And then it was over.... Apart from one more thing: The three ladies and the really tight band came back for the next release: A cover of the Jackson Sisters Rare Groove Classic: "I believe in Miracles". Well, though some of us might have doubts regarding that message. But not tonight as the wonder was right before our eyes!
So in the end everyone was smiling and queuing to grab some vinyl and merch, getting autographs and taking pictures with the stars. And among them were Hamburgs very own Frank Spilker (Die Sterne) and Björn Wagner from Mocambo.
We hope for a return in the near future - even if it means bigger halls and budgets.